Press Releases

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers gave the following statement on the House floor tonight in support of the Honoring Our Promise to America’s Veterans Act, which provides funding to process and delivery disability claims and services for our veterans until December 15, 2013.

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this legislation and in support of continuing to provide our nation’s veterans with the important benefits they have earned for their service and their sacrifices.

“For their unwavering commitment to this nation, our veterans deserve to receive consistent, quality service and disability benefits. Any lapse in these services for our heroes is a failure on our part to do our jobs as Members of Congress.

“I would like to remind the House that the language of this legislation was essentially included in the clean continuing resolution I initially offered several weeks ago. For that reason, as well as my dedication to our veterans, I am happy to endorse this bill today.

“The legislation before us today continues funding to process and deliver disability claims and services at the Department of Veterans Affairs for those who have served in our Armed Forces, at the current annual rate of approximately $82 billion. The funding will last until December 15, or until we enact full-year appropriations.

“In addition to providing for our former servicemen and women, this bill will continue to move the ball down the field, closer to our ultimate goal of funding the entire government. Conversations must continue on how we – as an entire Congress – can come to an agreement that funds every agency and department, ends this shutdown, and reopens the government.

“I urge my colleagues to support our veterans, make the next step toward ending this unnecessary government shutdown, and pass this bill today.